Braiding-machine.



Nd. 696,094. Patented Mar. 25, I902. V A. B. DISS.

BRAIDING MACHINE. (Application filed Nuv. 24, 19 00. Renewed Aug. 12,1901.)

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mm rill/Ill!!! THE Norms sevens co. morauwu, WASH Patented Mar. 25,I902.

A. B. mss. BBAIDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 24, 1900. Renewed Aug. 12,1901.)

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(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. DISS, OF BROOKLYN, NE

W YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED NEIV JERSEY, A CORPORATION BRAIDING- OFNEW JERSEY.

MACHINE.

EPIEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,094, dated March25, 1902.

Application filed November 24, 1900. Renewed August 12,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. DIs's, a citizen of the United States,residing at the borough of Brooklyn, in the city and State of New York,have invented an Improvement in Braiding-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In braiding-machines as heretofore construoted there have been revolvingheads carried by a suitable support and connected by gears to revolve inopposite directions, and

the spindles carrying the bobbins of thread were made with exchangedevices and there were transfer devices connected with the re volvingheads for engaging the exchangeplates, so as to take the spindle fromone revolving head to the next in order that the path of the spindlemight be reversed, and in such movement each spindle passed around ahalf-circle in one direction and aroundthe other half-circle intheopposite direction. My present invention relates toa device of thischaracter; and the objects of the same are to simplify the parts, tomake the movement of some parts more positive, andto provide for thequick stopping of the machine upon the breaking of a thread and to beable to readily start the same again.

In carrying out my invention and in connection with the devices usuallyemployed in braiding-machines adapted to the makingof tubularor flatbraid I em ploy devices for positively holding, releasing, andtransferring the exchange-plates and spool-spindles in connection withthe respective heads and from one head to the other; also, devices forperiodically and progressively supplying thread, applying tensionthereto, and holding the thread-spool in place upon the spool-spindle;also, devices for stopping the motion of the mechanism upon the breakingof. a thread,

and which devices areadapted for readily starting up the machine again,all of which.

devices are hereinafter scribed.

In the drawings,'Figure 1 is a plan repre senting the frame of themachine, the circular platform for supporting the revolving heads, oneof said revolving heads complete, and the devices connected in a fixedrelation more particularly de- 1901- Serial No. 71,754. (No model.)

to the bed of the machine. Fig. 2 is a Vertical section through the saidplatform and two of the revolving heads and connected parts and anelevation of the spool-spidle, the bobbin of thread, and the threadmechanism connected therewith. Fig. 3 is aplan of the revolvingheadsshown in- Fig. 2 and section of the spool-spindles operatingsimultaneously in connection with the heads. Fig. 4. is an elevation,and Fig. 5 an inverted plan, of the stationary cam employed inconnection with the revolving heads. Fig. 6 is a plan of theexchange-plate and section of the spoolspindle. Fig. 7 isaplan of theswitch. Fig. 8 is a partial vertical section through the upper end ofone of the revolving-heads at one side, showing the-exchange-plate inposition and the engagement thereof by the locking and stop pin and atthe line so a; of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a plan of the thread mechanism andof the devices mounted upon the spool-spindle. Fig. 10 is averticalsection through the upper end of the spool-spindle and, the devicesmounted thereon and adjacent thereto. Fig. 11 is a sectional plan at y yof Fig. 2 through the spool-spindle, showing the friction devicesconnecting-the spindle to the bobbin of thread. Fig. 12 is alongitudinal section and partial elevation illustrating the powerdevices for operating the machine and the devices for stopping andstarting the same with refer ence to Fig. 1. Fig. 13isa detached planand partial section of the devices for holding the machine in a normalposition of operation and which when moved act to stop the machine, andFig. 14 is an elevation of the devices for holding in a normal positionthe means for stopping the motion of the machine upon the breaking ofathread. Figs. 2 to 11, inclusive, are of larger size for clearness overand above Figs. 1, 12, 13, and 14.

Dee ices for positively holding,releasing,and transferring the exchange-plates and spoolspindZes.-The main side frames 19 support thecircularor ring-shaped platform a. At spaced-apart intervals upon said platforma I secure the bases at of pivot-posts b by screws or in any othersuitable manner. Revolving heads are mounted upon these pivot-posts, oneupon each post, and said heads are made with integral gears 5 at thebase, and the gears 5 mesh with one another around the platform. One ofthese gears meshes with a gear 43 on a short shaft, to the lower end ofwhich is connected a bevel-wheel 42, and the bevel-wheel 42 meshes witha bevel-wheel 41 on the shaft u ofthe machine, said shaft being rotatedby a belt-wheel 'U, the particular operative devices being hereinaftermore particularly set forth. The revolving heads 0 are all madealike-that is to say, with an annular groove 63 in the base of the headbetween the head proper and the gear 5, with another annular groove 64:about midway of the head-and said heads are provided with semicircularvertical recesses at spacedapart intervals, there being by preferencefour of such vertical recesses on each head. A cavity 66 is made in thetop of the head and in which the spindle 11 projects, and I employ a camd, fixed in its relation to the spindle and secured by a pin 2. Theconstruction of this cam is shown especially in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5,the periphery and under surface of each cam being the portions shaped tocause the operation of adjacent parts. The periphery of each cam isprovided with inclines 7 on opposite portions, with a periph eral notch8 with opposite under cam-faces 9, and with flat intermediate faces 60,and with fiat projecting faces 58, and said cams are connected to thepivot posts, so as to be adapted to positively insure the operation ofthe parts with the rotation of the heads. The spool-spindles e are madealike, as are also the devices for periodically and progressivelysupplying thread.

6 represents the spool-spindle, f the bobbin of thread, and g theexchange-plate connected to or made in one with the spindle. Thespool-spindle e is provided at the lower end or base with a finger l,serving'a purpose hereinafter described. The exchange-plate (shownspecially in Figs. 2, 3, and (3) is made with one portion thicker thanthe other, the

thicker portion being adjacent to the spindle. The thicker portion isprovided with edge notches 10 at opposite sides of the spindle e, theface of the exchange-plate between the notches being curved andconcentric to the spindle, and the straight edge 12 of theexchange-plate between the thin back 11 and the thicker portion isundercut.

The switch 7t, Figs. 2, 3, and 7, is provided with curved edge cam-faces13, with ing cam portions 14 and a central elliptical cam projection 15,the projection 1 5 being central of the switch and the raised cornershaving the cam-faces 13 and the cams 14. These switches h are pivoted at59 to the platform a and occupy radial positions in alternatedirections.

In connection with each revolving head I employ four locking-pins 11 andfour stop-pins 70, said pins being in elevation of the shape shown inFigs. 2 and 8 and in plan of the shape shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 alsoshows the posiconvergtion of said locking and stop-pins, in which thelocking-pins i are each composed of a long and short member, the longmember passing through the head vertically, with the bent portion in therecess 66, and the short member passing through the upper part of thehead, and when the pin is in its lowermost position the point of theshort member projects into the annular groove 64. These pins 1; havesimply a vertical movement, dropping by gravity when released. Thestop-pins is (shown especially in Fig. 8) each has a bent portion andtwo members, one of which is slightly longer than the other. The longermember passes through the upper portion of the head and forms a pivotupon which the pin swings. This member is shown as extending across theannular groove 64:, with the lower end passing into an opening in thelowerportion of the head; but I do not limit myself in this respect. Thelower end of the shorter member of the stop-pin 7c is notched to fit theundercut edge 12 of the exchangeplate g. This notched shorter member ofthe pin from the upper face of the revolving head and through a circularopening formed in the head at the base of said recess and into theannular groove, the lower notched end of said pin passing into saidgroove the depth of the notched portion, so as to be adapted to engagethe undercut edge 12 of the exchangeplate. I

Fig. 3 shows two of the revolving heads, one of the switches pivoted atone side of the platform a, and parts of two of the switches pivoted toopposite sides of the platform a. This figure also shows threespool-spindles e and exchange-plates g,with arrows sho'win g thedirection of the movement of said heads. The

thicker portions of the exchange-plates g fit.

closely in the annular grooves (it. The lower ends of the locking-pins11 pass into one of the edge notches of the exchange-plates, so as tohold the exchange-plates, with the spindle c, in the vertical recessesG5-upon the surfaces of the heads, the shorter notched ends of thestop-pins 7c coming behind the thicker portions of the exchange-platesinto the undercut edges, so as to hold the exchange-plates in oppositedirections. It will be noticed by reference to Fig. 3 that theexchange-plate at the inner side of the platform a and also theexchange-plate at the outer side of the platform a are both positivelyheld in this manner, the shorter notched end of the stoppins 70 beingbetween the inner surface of the heads and the adjacent surface of thecams (1, so that saidpins are immovable at this point. The spindle andbetween the revolving heads and in line with their pivot-posts are inthe act of being exchanged from one revolving head to the next. In thisposition it will be noticed that the notches 10 of the exchange-plateare vertically in line with the lowershorter ends of the locking-pins iand that the right-hand lockexchange-plate g ing-pin is in engagementwith the notch 10, that the undercut edge 12 of the said exchange-plateis engaged by the notched end of the stop-pin h at the left hand, and itwill also be noticed (see Fig. 2) that the longer end of the locking-pini at the right hand is not in proximity to the switch 72, but hasdropped by gravity, but that the locking-pin at the left-hand side hasbeen raised by the converging cam let at the left-hand side of theswitch h, so that the lower end of the longer member rests upon thesurface of the thickened portion of said switch, the said left-handlocking-pin being raised so that its lower end while above the notch 10is out of contact with the exchange-plate. In this position the bentpart of the left-hand locking-pin i isadjacent to one flat face 60 ofthe stationary cam d. With the further movement of the parts and whenthe switch passes from under this locking-pin if the pin does not dropby gravity it is forced down by the under cam-faces 9. This positionwill be appreciated'by reference to the section Fig. 2 and the plan Fig.3. It will also be noticed that the right-hand locking-pin iholds theexchange-plate and that one peripheral incline 7 of the right-hand cam dis about to swing the free end of the right-hand stop-pin h in behindthe undercut edge '12 of this exchange-plate, so as to hold theexchange-plate to the right-hand head in transferring the same from theleft-hand head. In this transference there is no necessary movement ofthe stop-pin lo on the left-hand head, as the exchange-plate simplypasses away'therefrom. It will also be noted in this connection thatthe. finger-base 1 of the spindle e is upon the right-hand side of theelliptical cam projection 15 in the center of the switch. This assuresthe spindle passing from the left to the right hand head. While notshown in the drawings, it is to be understood that it is preferablearound each head to employ one less spindle than there are verticalrecesses and sets of locking and stop pins i It. By further referance toFig. Slit will be noticed that the exchange-plate within the platform ais approaching the left hand switch h, so as to move the samepreparatory to exchanging the spindle from the head holding the same tothe next left-hand head. (Not shown in Fig. 3.) As this exchangeplatecontinues its movement the lower endof the spool-spindle 6 will strikethe convex or cam surface 13'of'the switch h and swing the switch towardthe right hand from the position shown in full lines, Fig. 3, and as theexchange-plate continues its movement'the base of the spindle e'willpass between the raised portion and the elliptical projection 15, withthe finger-base 1 bearing upon the said cam projection 15 in l to thatshown by the section in Fig. 2, but on the opposite side of the camprojection. In this manner the holding tendency of the switch h upon thespindle e and the exchange a similar position rounding the shaft plate 9will be toward the revolving head next adjacent to the left hand. (Shownin Fig. 3.)

The notch Sin each cam d is placed toward the outer edge of the platforma and is employedto facilitate the removal of any one of theexchange-plates and spindles. This is accomplished by swinging the shortarm of a stop-pin it into the notch and so removing its notchedend frombehind the undercut edge 12 of the exchange-plate, so that theexchange-plate can be turned on the spindle and the notched ortion 10backed away from the locking-pin i. The parts can be returned intoengagement in the reverse order. he sides of the exchange-plates arecurved, so that when in place on the heads the curves of the exposedsides are concentric to the periphery of the heads, and in width theexchange-plates are slightly less than the combined depth of two annulargrooves. Therefore when an exchange-plate passes between adjacent headsits true position is maintained or its position corrected by theprojecting portion coming into contact with the base of a groove 64:,which will turn the exchange-plate until its passage is unobstructed. V

Devices for periodically and progressively supplying thread, applyingtension thereto, and holding the thread-spooL-The threadbobbin'freceives through it the spool-spindle e, and upon the upper end of thethread-bobbin a tooth-disk 16 is secured, the disk being of a sizeagreeing with the end of the threadbobbin and the teeth projecting. Theupper end of the spindle e is made hollow and notched, and fittedtherein is a short shaft 17, having a pin in the said recess, so as toprevent the shaft turning in the spindle, which becomes its support. Iprovide a bracketplate l, formed of portions at right angles to oneanother, one portion occupying avertical position and the other ahorizontal position. The horizontal part is perforated for the shaft 17,which passes through the same, and the vertical part of the said platehas a threadnotch 22 in the lower end and on one side is provided with ahinge-joint, to the pin of which isconnected a pawl-plate n. Secured tothis bracket-plate l is a spring 19, the free end of which bears uponthe pawl-plate n, and also connected to this bracket-plate is athread'guide 21 in the The head on is a saucer-shaped form of metal formof a loop of wire.

with a notched flange 18 and a center hub fitting around the shaft 17.The head m is loose ,upon the shaft and while resting upon thebracket-plate l is separate therefrom. This pawl-plate n is made with anupward extension and with a spring-finger 20 engaging the notches of theflange 18, the tooth of the pawlplate n engaging the teeth of the disk16 and being held thereto by the said spring 19. Within the head m is acoiled spring 0, the

inner end of which is fastened to the hub of end is fastened to a"perforated bearings sur- 17 and an extension car'- said head, and theouter bracket 23, having rying the grooved roller 24, and the normaltendency of the spring 0 in connection with the roller 24: is to holdthe roller at a distance from the pawl-plate n. The upper end of'theshaft 17 is surmounted by a threadguide 25,-(see Fig. 2,) the same beingformed of an upright portion, a perforated top, through which the threadpasses, and a basehub fitting upon the upper end of the shaft 17 andheld thereto by a pin 26. I provide upon the spindle e a fixed ring orcollar 0' and above the same a friction-yoke 27, having a circularportion surrounding the spindle and two free ends extendingapproximately parallel with one another and radially from the spindle.The pin 28 is fastened to one of these radial arms and extends up intothe thread-bobbin f, and a screw 29 passes freely through one of saidarms and screws into the other, and around the screw is a spring 30, theaction of which is to force the two arms toward one another and somaintain the frictional grip of the circular part of the yoke 27 uponthe spindle, and thus prevent the thread-bobbin f turning freely oraccidentally. Upon the spindle and below the fixed ring 1' I provide acollar 5, loose upon the spindle, and a hook-ended wire 31 is secured tothe collar 3 and rises therefrom, and the thread from the thread-bobbinpasses first through the thread-notch 22, then under the hook end ofthe'wire 31, upward through the thread-guide 21, behind the upwardextension of the pawl-plate n, around the grooved roller 24:, throughthe eye of the thread-guide 25, and so to the portion of the machinewhere the braiding is being efiected. In the operation of these partsand starting with the position shown in Fig. i) a normal tension only isupon the thread, and as the thread is consumed in the braiding operationthe roller 2 1 moves progressively toward the upward extension of thepawl-plate n and then strikes the same, forcing the said pawlplateoutard against the spring 19 and drawing the tooth of the pawl-plate outof the teeth of the disk 16, so releasing the threadbobbin, and becauseof the tension of the thread upon the thread-bobbin the same will rotatean appreciable distance and allow the thread to pay out. The roller 24because of the action of the spring 0 will follow this paying out of thethread, so that there will be no uncontrolled slack. The tooth of thepawl-plate will almost immediately reengage a tooth of the disk 16, soas to return the parts to their normal position, and these movements arerepeated every time the thread is so consumed that the grooved roller24: comes in contact with the upward extension of the pawl-plate. Incase there is not enough tension or too much tension upon the coiledspring 0 the same may be regulated at pleasure by withdrawing the freeend of the spring-finger from one of the notches of the notched flange1S and rotating the flange 18 in one direction or the other to tightenor loosen the spring and then reentering the end of the spring-fing-er20 in one of the notches. It will be observed that if a thread breaksthe collar 8 and the hook-ended wire 31, held up solely by the thread,will fall. This movement brings into operation t e devices for steppingthe mechanism hereinafter described.

Devices for stopping the motion of the machine upon the breaking of athread-I provide an arm t, pivoted to one of the frames 13 at 32 andextending across the machine below the circular platform a andprojectingbeyond the other frame 1) of the machine and terminating in ahandle 6. This arm is provided with an enlarged portion and a rising camprojection 33, (see especially Figs. 1, 12, and 13,) and I provide aspring 34:, with one end fastened to the arm and the other to oneframe 1) for holding the said arm in the desired position. A link 35 ispivotally connected at one end to the arm '6 and at its other end to alever 36, which lever is pivoted to a support 37, connected to one ofthe supports of the shaft 16. (Shown in Fig. 12.) A clutch 38 is uponthe main operative shaft u, and this lever 36 passes through the annulargroove in the said clutch, and it will be noticed that this clutch canbe moved longitudinally of the shaft by the arm t through theintervention of the link 35. This clutch 38 is slotted and a guide-pin39 in the said slot passes through the shaft n so as to connect theshaft and the clutch to compel them to turn together and at the sametime provide for the longitudinal movement of the clutch, said pin 39also acting as a stop for the clutch. The other end of the clutch isprovided with a pin 40, adapted to enter an opening in the hub of thebelt-wheel e, which belt-wheel is loose upon the shaft, and consequentlywhen the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 12 the clutch isengaged with the beltwheel and the main shaft n is rotated, and when theclutch is moved longitudinally of the shaft and the pin 40 disengagedfrom the belt-wheel the said wheel is free to revolve without rotatingthe main shaft. When the belt-wheel 1; through the clutch 38 and pin 40rotates thehshaft n, the bevel-wheels 41 and 42 are also set in motionand the gear 43 is rotated, and it in turn sets in operation all of therevolving heads 0 and the devices connected therewith, moving thespool-spindles and the bobbins of thread in the progressive orderhereinbefore described for effecting the operations of thebraiding-machine.

The platform a is made with a spider-frame w and central bearing 3, andwithin the central bearing is a spindle 44, having a projecting pin 45from the lower end and radial curved arms 46 connected to and extendingout from the disk-head of the spindle. The spindle 44 has connected toit a stop-arm 47, extending radially and long enough to pass beneath andbeyond the frame 1), and I provide a fixed stop 48 in the outer surfaceof the platform, located above the normal position of the stop-arm 47. Iemploy arms 50, each composed of two parts alike, oneof said parts beingsecured. to the under side of the frame and the other of said'partsbeing free to move on the pivotal connection, and springs 49, eachcomposed of a center loop, and two free arms are connected at one end tothe fixed portion of said arms and at the other end to the movableportions, and the outer ends of said arms 50 are upturnedand theupturned portions are long enough to embrace the stop-,

arm 47 and the fixed stop 48 and bearing against the fixed stop serve tohold in alinement therein the stop-arm 47. insures the alinement of thepin 45 and the position of the point of said pin against the point ofthe cam projection 33, and so long as these two parts are in theposition shown in Figs/1 and 13 the clutch-pin is in engagement with thebelt-wheel and the machine is in full operation. The arms 46 are longenough to come closely adjacent to the spindles 6 when the same passaround the revolving heads upon the inside of the platform, so 'thatwhena thread breaks and the collar 8 falls, the same being of considerably Ygreater diameter than the spindle 6 comes immediately in the path of oneof the arms 46, goingin either-direction, and striking one of said arms46 moves the same and the spindle 44, instantly swinging the pin 45 outof its relation with the cam projection 33 and allowing the spring 34 topull on the armt and through the link 35 move the clutch 38 and its pin40 out of engagement with the belt-wheel o, and thus stop the machine.In this movement the stop-arm 47 has moved a corresponding distance withthe arm 46 against the force of the spring-actuated arms 50, and so theparts remain, the spring 34 being of greater power than the springs 49.hen the thread has been reconnected and the parts are to be returned toan operative normal position, it is only necessary to move the armt bythe handle 6 toward the left hand,'and with it the clutch, so that thepin 40 of the clutch again engages the belt-wheel to set the parts againin motion. With this movement of the arm t and the cam projection 33 thespring-actuated arms 50 move the stop-arm 47, the arms 46, the spindle44, and the pin 45, returning the same to the normal position in linewith the stop 48, in whichthe pin 45 again comes against the point ofthe cam 33, and the parts are held in place until another thread breaks.

The operations of this machine are entirely automatic, and the same doesnot require constant attention on the part of an operator, because wherea thread breaks the machine is stopped and remains stopped until thethread has been reconnected and the arm 25 moved by hand to reestablishthe normal operative position of the parts and set the machine again inmotion. The operations of the revolving heads, the exchange-plates theswitches h, the locking-pins t, andthe stop-pins 7e are all Thisposition exchange-plates and of the'locking-pins and swinging in thesaid a positive and do not in any respect depend upon springs for theiroperation, so are not liable to get out of order or to make any falsemovements in the operation of the machine.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a braiding-machine, the combination withthe power mechanism, of a platform, re-

. volving heads supported upon said platform,

gears for actuating'the sainein opposite directions, spool-spindles andexchange-plates connected therewith, switches pivoted in op positedirections upon the said platform, locking-pins moving vertically in therevolving heads and raised by the switches or permitted to dropfordisengaging or engaging the stop-pinsindependent revolving heads andadapted to engage a'portion of the exchange-plate, so that between thelocking-pins and the stop-pins the exchange-plates are positively heldin position to the revolving forth.

2. In a braiding-machine, the combination with the platform andpivot-posts mounted thereon at spaced-apart intervals, of revolvingheadsmounted'upon said pivot-posts,-each head being constructed with anintegral gear at the base,'withan annular groove between the gear andthe head, with a second annular groove about midway of the head, with acavity in the top of the head and with semicircular recesses extendingvertically in the surface ofthe head and at spaced-apart intervals,spindles adapted to be received in the semicircular vertical recesses ofthe head, exchange-plates connected to the spindles and adapted to passinto the midway annular groove in the head, locking-pins movingvertically in said head, and means for actuating the same to cause thelocking-pins to engage the exchange-plate, and stop-pins in said headcapable of a swinging movement and adapted to engage the saidexchange-plate and a cam device mounted upon the upper end of the saidpivot-post and acting upon the lockingpins and stop-pins, substantiallyas set forth.

3. In a braiding-machine, the combination with the platform andpivot-posts mounted thereon at spaced-apart intervals, of revolvingheads mounted upon said pivot-posts, each head being constructed with anintegral gear at the base, with an annular groove between the gear andthe head, with a second annular groove about midway of the head, with acavityin the top of the head and with semicircular recesses extendingvertically in the surface of the head and at spaced-apart intervals,locking-pins each composed of a bent portion and a long and shortmember, the long member extending through the head into the cavity abovethe gear and the short member through the head into the midway cavity,stop-pins in the upper portion ofthe head, each having a bent part and along and short member, the long member passing through the upper part ofthe head and acting heads, substantially as set as a pivot for the pin,and the short member passing through the cavity and through an openingbelow the same in the top of the head and having a' notched endprojecting into the midway cavity, a cam stationary in the cavity in thetop of the head and fixed to the upper end of the pivot-post and havingperipheral inclines adapted to act upon the stop-pins, and undercam-surfaces adapted to act upon the locking-pins, and means actingagainst the point of the longer end of the locking-pins for raising thesame, substantially as set forth.

4. In abraiding-machine, the combination with the platform andpivot-posts mounted thereon at spaced-apart intervals, of revolvingheadsmounted upon said pivot-posts each head being constructed with anintegral gear at the base, with an annular groove between the gear andthe head, with a second annular groove about midway of the head, with acavity in the top of the head, and with semicircular recesses extendingvertically in the surface of the head and at spaced-apart intervals,locking-pins'each composed of a bent portion and a long and shortmember, the long member extending through the head into the cavity abovethe gear, and the short member through the head into the midway cavity,stop-pins in the upper portion of the head each having a bent part and along and short'member, the long member passing through the upper part ofthe head and act ing as a pivotfor the pin, and a short member passingthrough the cavity and through an opening below the same in the top ofthe head, and having a notched end projecting into the midway cavity,the cam stationary in the cavityin the top of the head and fixed to theupper end of the pivot-post and having peripheral inclines adapted toact upon the stop-pins, and under cam-surfaces adapted to act upon thelocking-pins, spindles e and exchange-plates 9 formed with the spindles,each exchange-plate being composed of a thick and thin portion, thethick portion having edge notches 10 at opposite sides of the spindleand an undercut edge 12 adjacent to the thin portion the notches 10being engaged by the short parts of the locking-pins, and the undercutedge by the notched end of the short part of the stop-pins so as topositively'lock the exchange-plate to the head from opposite points, andswitches pivoted to the platform and operating in the annular grooveabove the gear against the lower end of the long member of thelocking-pin, substantially as set forth.

5. In a braiding-machine, the combination with the platform andpivot-posts mounted thereon at spaced-apart intervals, of revolvingheads mounted upon said pivot-posts,each head being constructed with anintegral gear at the base, with an annular groove between the'gear andthe head, with a second annular groove about midway of the head, with acavity in the top of the head and with passing clines adapted to actupon the stop-pins,

.cut edge 12 semicircular recesses extending vertically in the surfaceof the head and at spaced-apart intervals, locking-pins each composed ofa bent portion and a long and short member, the long member extendingthrough the head into the cavity above the gear, and the short memberthrough the head into the midway cavity, stop-pins in the upper portionof the head each having a bent part and a long and short member, thelong member passing through the upper part of the head and forming apivot for the pin, and a short member through the cavity and through anopening below the same in the top of the head, and having a notched endprojecting into the mid way cavity, a cam stationary in the cavity inthe top of the head and fixed to the upper end of the pivot-post andhaving peripheral 1121- under cam-surfaces adapted to act upon thelocking-pins, spindles e and exchange-plates 9 formed with the spindles,each exchangeplate being composed of a thick and thin portion, the thickportion having edge notches 10 at opposite sides of the spindle and anunderadjacent to the thin portion, the notches 10 being engaged by theshort parts of the locking-pins,and the undercut edge by the notched endof the short part of the stop-pins so as to positively lock theexchange-plate to the head from opposite points, and switches pivoted tothe platform and moving in the annular groove above the gear and eachcomprising converging cams 14, a central elliptical cam projection 15and a two-part curved advancingedge or cam faces 13 with which the baseof the spindle is adapted to contact for moving the cam, substantiallyas set forth.

6. In a braiding-machine, the combination with a platform, of a seriesof heads and gears connected therewith mounted upon said platform, andmeans for revolving the adjacent heads in opposite directions, each headhaving a midway annular groove and semicircular vertical grooves atspaced-apart intervals, a series of spool-spindles and exchange-platesconnected therewith, the exchange-plates be ing adapted to pass into theannular midway grooves of the heads and each exchange-plate having athick portion to fit said grooves, and

a thinnerrear portion, an undercut edge at the junction of the thick andthin portions and edge notches at opposite sides of the spoolspindle,devices connected to the head and adapted to successively engage one ofthe edge notches of the exchange-plate and the undercut edge thereof atthe same time to hold the exchange-plates in a fixed relation to the ofthe engaging devices, and means operated by the spindle in its circularmotion with the heads for transferring the spindles from one head to theother progressively in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

7. In a braiding-machine, the combination with a platform pivot-postsmounted thereon, revolving heads and gears upon said pivot heads, meansfor controlling the movements posts, of switches set in alternateopposite directions on radial lines from the center of the platform andbetween the heads and having thereon cam forms, stationary cams mountedupon the upper end of the pivot-posts above the heads andhavingperipheral inclines, notches, under cam-faces and fiat faces,spoolspindles and-exchange-plates connected there'- with and two sets ofdevices connected to, rotating with and vertically movable in saidheadsand one set actuated and controlled by the switches and the otherset by stationary cams for progressively engaging and positively holdingthe exchange-plates to the heads and alternately transferring the samefrom one head to the next in opposite directions, substantially as setforth.

8. In a braiding-machine, the combination with revolving heads, spoolspindles, exchange-plates connected therewith and means for operatingthe same, of thread-bobbins mounted upon said spindles, meansfor'frictionally holding the thread-bobbins to the spindles, means forperiodically and progressively supplying thread and applying tensionthereto, and means for adjusting the'tension, and means carrying thethread and acting in connection with the tension for releasing theholding devices, substantially as set forth.

9. In a braiding-machine, the combination with revolving heads, spoolspindles, exchange-plates connected therewith and means for operatingthe same, of thread-bobbins mounted upon said spindles, a toothed disksecured upon the top of eachthread-bobbin,

a shaft fitting the upper end of the spindle and projecting therefrom, abracket-plate having two parts atright angles to oneanother with onepart in a vertical position and the other part in a horizontalpositionaud passing over the same shaft, thread-guides connected to thevertical part of the bracketplate, means pivotally connected to thebracket plate and adapted to engage the toothed disk, a grooved rolleraround which the thread passes and devices for applying tension thereto,and means for adjusting said tension and a guide for the thread from thegrooved .roller, substantially as set forth.

10. In a braiding-machine the combination with revolving heads, spoolspindles, exchange-plates connected therewith and means for operatingthe same, of thread -bobbins mounted upon said spindles, a toothed disksecured upon the top of each thread-bobbin, a shaft fitting the upperend of the spindle and projecting therefrom, a bracket-plate having twoparts at right angles to one another with one part in a verticalposition and the other part in a horizontal position and passing overthe said shaft, threadguides connected to the vertical part of thebracketplate, a pawl-plate having a beveled extension pivoted to theupright part of the bracketplate and having a point engaging'the tootheddisk, and a spring for holding the'same normally in place, a hollow headhaving a central hub surrounding the said shaft with a notched flange tothe said head, and a springfinger connected to the bracket-plate andengaging the said 'notched flange for holding the head in a fixedrelation to the bracket, a coiled spring within the head with one .endconnected to the hub, a bracket above the head loose upon the saidshaft, and a grooved coiled spring fastened to the said bracket and thebracket adapted to swing with the roller, a thread-guide connected toand extending above the said shaft for the thread as the same passesaway to the braiding mechanism, whereby the grooved roller, as thethread is used, is adaptedto come against the upward extension of thepawl-plate to release the parts and allow the thread to pay out and thegrooved roller is moved by the spring to take up the slack and returnthe parts into a normal position of engagement, substantially-as setforth. a i

11; The combination in a braidingmachine, with the spindles, theexchange-plates connected therewith, and means for supporting andoperating the same, of the thread-bobconnected therewith forperiodically and pro-' gressively supplying thread and applying tensionthereto, collars ,upon the spindles, hook-ended wiresconnected to thecollarsand rising therefrom and threads from the thread-bobbins pass sothat the said collars and wires are held in an elevated position by thethreads and fall when the threads break, a spindle having a headconnected to the said head,,a radial pin connected to the lower end ofthe spindle, the said radial arms being so placed as to come in the pathof and cont-actwith a fallen collar upon a spindle and to be then movedthereby to swing the pin at the base of the spindle out of its normalposition, devices acting in connection with the said pin and controllingthe movements of the power mechanism of the machine for holding the samereleased and disengaged and the machine stopped when the said pin isswung out of its normal position, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination in a braiding-machine with the spindles, theexchange-plates connected therewith, and means for supporting andoperating the same, of the thread-bobbins mounted upon said spindlesanddevices connected therewith for periodically and progressively supplyingthread and applying tension thereto, collars upon the spindles,hook-ended wires connected to the collars and rising therefrom andbeneath which the threads from the thread-bobbins pass so that the saidcollars and wires are held in an elevated position by the thread andfall when the threads break, a spindle having a. head mounted central inthe frame of the machine,

roller carriedthereby with the free end of the bins mounted upon saidspindles and devices beneath which the mounted central in the frame ofthe machine, arms extending radially and upwardly andin a normallyoperative position whichare said radial arms being so placed as to comein the path of and contact with a fallen collar upon a spindle and to bethen moved thereby to swing the pin at the base of the spindle out ofits normal position, devices acting in connection with the said pin andcontrolling the movements of the power mechanism of the machine forholding the same in a normally operative position which are released anddisengaged and the machine stopped when the said pin is swung out of itsnormal position, and devices adapted to return the radial arms, spindleand pin to a normal position when the devices acting in connection withthe pin are shifted into a position of engagement by hand, substantiallyas set forth.

13. The combinationin abraiding-machinc, with the spindles, theexchange-plates connected therewith and means for supporting andoperating the same, of the thread-bobbins mounted upon said spindles anddevices connected therewith for periodically and progressively supplyingthread and applying tension thereto, collars upon the spindles,hook-ended wires connected to the collars and rising therefrom andbeneath which the threads from the thread-bobbins pass so that the saidcollars and wires are held in an elevated position by the threads andfall when the threads break, an arm t pivoted to the frame of themachine at one end and extending across the machine and projecting andterminating with a handle, a main shaft to the machine, an engagingclutch and gears connected therewith and devices extending from the armi for operating the clutch and a spring for operating the arm, and a camprojection 33 upon said arm centrally of the machine and devicescontacting with said cam projection 33 and set in operation by the fallof the collars upon the spindles whereby the said arm 15 is released andmoved by its spring and the clutch disengaged and the mechanismstopped,snbstantially as set forth.

14. The combination in a braiding-machine,

with the spindles, the exchange-plates connected therewith and means forsupporting and operating the same, of the thread-bobbins monnted uponsaid spindles and devices connected therewith for periodically andprogressively supplying thread and applying tension thereto, collarsupon the spindles, hook-ended wires connected to the collars and risingtherefrom and beneath which the threads from the thread-bobbins pass sothat the said collars and wires are held in an elevated position by thethread and fall when the thread breaks, an arm 15 pivoted to the frameof the machine at one end and extending across the machine andprojecting and terminating with a handle, a main shaft to the machine,an engaging clutch and gears connected therewith and devices extendingfrom the arm t for operating the clutch and a spring for operating thearm, and a cam projection 33 upon said arm centrally of the machine,arevoluble spindle centrally mounted in the frame of the machine, radialand rising arms 46 connected therewith at the upper end and agreeing innumber with the number of the revolving heads, a radial pin 45projecting from the lower end of the spindle and adapted to engage thepoint of the cam projection 33 upon the arm 1, a stop-pin 48 on theframe of the machine, a radial arm 47 projecting from the spindle 44 andnormally occupying a position beneath the stop 48, and spring-actuatedarms 50 with upturned ends simultaneously engaging the end of the arm 47and stop-pin 48 to hold the same in alinement and in a normal positionin which the point of the pin 45 contacts with the point of the camprojection 33, and the parts are held in their normal position ofoperation and by which the parts are returned to a normal position withthe operation of the arm 15 by hand, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 12th day of November, 1900.

ALBERT B. DISS.

Witnesses:

(Euro. '1. PINCKNEY, S. '1. IIAVILAND.

